Flashcards › Citizenship Questions 1-50

What is the supreme law of the land? The Constitution What does the Constitution do? Sets up the government The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? We the people What is an amendment? A change to the Constitution What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? The Bill of Rights What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?* Speech, religion, assembly, press, petition gov How many amendments does the Constitution have? 27 What did the Declaration of Independence do? Declared independence from Great Britain What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness What is freedom of religion? You can practice any religion or no religion What is the economic system of the United States? Capitalism or market What is the rule of law? Everyone must obey the law Name one branch or part of the government Executive, Legislative or Judicial What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? system of checks and balances Who is in charge of the executive branch? The president Who makes federal laws? Congress What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? Senate and House of Representatives How many U.S. Senators are there? 100 - two for each state We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? 6 years Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now? Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein The House of Representatives has how many voting members? 435 We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years? 2 years Name your U.S. Representative. Answers will vary Who does a U.S. Senator represent? The people of their state Why do some states have more Representatives than other states? The number of representatives is based on the state's population We elect a President for how many years? 4 years In what month do we vote for President? November What is the name of the President of the United States now? Barack Obama What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now Joe Biden If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? Vice President If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President? Speaker of the House Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? The President Who signs bills to become laws? The President Who vetoes bills? The President What does the President's Cabinet do? Advises the President What are two Cabinet-level positions? Secretary of State, Secretary of defense What does the judicial branch do? Interprets the laws What is the highest court in the United States? Supreme Court How many justices are on the Supreme Court? 9 Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now? John G. Roberts Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government? make money, declare war, make treaties, have an army Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? police, fire dept, education, driver license, zoning Who is the Governor of your state now? Jerry Brown What is the capital of your state? Sacramento What are the two major political parties in the United States? Democrats and Republicans What is the political party of the President now? Democrat What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? John Boehner There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. citizen 18 years or older, no poll fee What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens? serve on a jury, vote in fed election Name one right only for United States citizens. vote in fed election, run for federal office Flashcards to prepare for citizenship test